AUSTELL, Ga. — Amusement park operator Six Flags has temporarily shut down nine roller coasters across six theme parks nationwide following a fatal incident Monday afternoon at Six Flags Over Georgia.
According to local authorities and initial reports, a man fell to his death while riding a high-speed roller coaster at the park northwest of Atlanta around 4:00 p.m. on October 12. Several other park guests sustained injuries during the incident.
Witnesses at the park told local media that the man fell mid-ride and struck portions of the coaster structure before coming to rest on the roof of an underlying attraction. Passengers were subsequently evacuated from the Goliath hypercoaster while emergency services responded.
The Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit has launched an active investigation into the cause of the fall.
In a statement, Six Flags announced it had temporarily closed nine similar hypercoasters across six different regional parks “out of an abundance of caution” while safety inspections and investigations proceed alongside local authorities and ride manufacturers.
The precautionary shutdowns affect major attractions across the country, including sister coasters such as Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois and Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California.
Six Flags noted that it is fully cooperating with law enforcement and safety inspectors. Further updates regarding the victim’s identity and the timeline for ride reopenings are expected as investigators complete their preliminary report.
Six Flags is the corporate owner of Cedar Point. None of Cedar Point’srides have been closed.
Source material compiled from reporting by The New York Times, The Associated Press, and local television affiliates.